Thanksgiving 2008 was absolutely fantastic!

We started out at Mackenze's parents home. We had a wonderful meal and a 30 lb turkey. The bird was so big that they had to buy a special pan for it, which it didn't even fit in. They had to put it in sideways and cut off the neck for it to fit. My favorite part of the whole meal was the gravy. It tasted so yummy.

From there, we went to Wal Mart and picked up some wrapping paper. At my parents house we decided to have a gift exchange because my brothers are not going to be here in Spokane for Christmas, therefore, the reason for the wrapping paper. We had dinner around five, the size of this turkey was at least half of the other, and we didn't even eat all of it! Mom sent us home with some leftovers so that was great! I just love stuffing. It was just the stove top kind but man did it hit the spot. After we ate we exchanged gifts. I love giving gifts because I love to see the look on the others faces when they get something they want.

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving and I can't wait until next year.

Every Sunday Mackenze and I have the opportunity to be Nursury workers. There are about 20 to 25 children in our nursury, all unique in their own way. We have the insanely shy to the ones who want to tell you everything that they ate yesterday. Even though I am left absolutely exhausted after two hours, I'm so happy to be able to have the experience of being around these children each week.

I thought that I might share just a few happenings that we have seen in the last month.

There is one girl who, I am convinced, is the definition of diva, even though she is only three. This year she was Barbie Rapunzul for Halloween and boy did I get an earful about that. Next year she is either going to be a cheerleader or Hannah Montana she hasn't decided yet. And every week she brings me the same worn out Snow White storybook, and every time she is scared of the wicked hag.

Then there is the chewer. She chews on books, toys, clothes...basically anything she can get her hands on. But, her favorite thing to chew is wax crayons. She gets it all over her face and the paper on the crayon is covered in saliva. It's quite disgusting. I just worry that she is going to choke on it so I try to keep the crayons away from her.

There are also the train boys. These boys will fight over these toy trains and try to get you to put them together and then get frusterated as you try to explain that these trains are broken. There are other toys with wheels, but every one of them has their little heart set on the broken choo choo.

Then there is Mackenze's twin. He just loves Mack. He is upset a lot of the time and he doesn't want to see anyone but Mack. He is shy. He also loves dainties. I will tell you the dainty stories another time, but for those of you who know what dainties are this kid just sucks on them like crazy. He loves the feeling.

There is also the girl who LOVES dogs. I mean LOVES. She will take the stuffed animals, puzzles, hard toys, anything that resembles a dog. She picks it up and says "Hi Doggie." She loves them so much that she throughly enjoys taking anything that looks like a dog from another child. She is really good about giving it back when asked to though because she knows that she is not suppose to do that.

All of the children love bubbles. They go absolutely psycho when Mack gets them out and starts blowing away. Those kids will run over each other just to stomp on the bubbles or catch them. So we get them all good and hyper right before their parents come to get them.

It has been such a blessing working with these kids and even though you feel like you are going crazy they still have such a sweet spirit that it's hard to be upset.

I love my Family. They are the most precious thing to me in this world. I wouldn't be the person that I am without their love and influence. I'm so grateful everyday for the great people they are.
Mom aka Cheryl- I could literally go on forever about what a great women she is, but I will just try to highlight the great stuff. When we were younger, mom was always there for us. She would pick us up from school when we were sick or bring us the homework we forgot. She did a wonderful job of teaching us wrong and right, and how to be hard workers. I remember having to do yard work and house chores that I just hated. It wasn't until much later that I realized how useful it was to me as an adult. My mom and I have very similar personalities. In fact, we are so similar that it's scary. One time, we were sitting in my grandparents living room and my dad had said something great about himself (which is typical of his nature) and my mother and I said "Oh pul-eez" at the same time in the exact same tone. I love my mother very much, and want to be more like her in many ways. She truly is a heroine.
Dad aka Michael- I'm so grateful for my father's hard working nature. He really knew and understood the importance of providing for our family. I think that he taught each of us how to be motivated through his great example. My father also is an entertainer. It was great when we were younger. He would make us laugh. I remember him telling us Goldilocks at bedtime. He would do it so animatedly. He also sang. I remember loving to hear him sing "I Heard Him Come" and some song in spanish.
Jay- My brother Jay is about two years older than I am. He was always the person who had the greatest ideas when we all were playing when we were kids. We would play ninja turtles and I would be April because she was the only girl. We would also play power rangers and I was always the pink ranger because let's face it she was the prettiest and the girliest and I was pretty much a diva. Jay and Brenn would always do the funnest stuff like playing basketball and I would get to play too but I had to be all time offense.
Brenn- My brother Brenn is a very caring and loving person. Except for the countless times he would just stare at us across the breakfast table to annoy us, or the time that he threw a log at a seagull. No, but really he has a big heart. Brenn always kept all of us children entertained and was always willing to play any weird game us girls could come up with. He will kill me for saying this but I'm not so concerned because he lives on the other side of the country...so....this one time he even played make up....he didn't put it on or anything he was just helping me. And he can deny it all he wants but I really know the truth. I love Brenn and it makes me happy to see him so happy with his beautiful wife.
Danica- Danica and I have an interesting relationship. I think that it's safe to say when we were growing up we had...moments?...several of them. The sisterly kind of course. It reminds of the relationship that Bianca and Kat have on that Ten Things I Hate About You movie. The sisters are severe opposites but despite that they still love each other. So I am betting you want to hear what some of those moments are. Well Danica had this nickname...ahem...Danica the Destroyer...and yes, it fit her well. I had just gotten my tonsils taken out, and my mom or someone had gotten me this creepy clown that you wound up and it would play music and move it's head from side to side. I loved that little guy. Anyways, I specifically told my mom that I didn't want Danica to play with it because I didn't want it to break. Anyways, she got a hold of it and it broke and I cried like the little baby I was. But I have long forgiven her of that discretion and Danica and I have definitely grown up. She has a wonderful testimony and spirit that has helped her grow into the beautiful young women she is today. She has become more considerate, and I know that she is going to be an excellent mother and wife to a very lucky man someday.
Jordyn- One word always comes to my mind when I need to describe my sister Jordyn. Sweet. Not like dude that is SA-WEEET!!! But the kind of sweet that makes your very old grandmother pinch your cheeks. I used to think that she was shy, but I think that she has grown out of that now. She is a very talented individual. Jordyn write poetry that touches my heart and makes me bawl. Though that is pretty commonplace for me these days. But really she is great.
The above is just my immediate family! There have been so many additions in the last couple years and I'm excited to share that with you too!
Mackenze- Let's face it! I could go on and on and on and on about this man so I will just let you read what I have posted previously if you want to learn more about him!
John- John is Mackenze's father or my father-in-law. He is a very hard working man and wants to do everything to make sure that his family is happy and provided for. I'm very grateful for the many kindnesses that he has shown to Mackenze and I, and that he has provided Mackenze with a job and many other talents.
Penny- Penny is Mackenze's mom or my mother-in-law. Penny is a very hospitable person. I remember after we went snowmobiling (the one time that I have gone) we were all so tired and worn out and Mack and I were crashed on the couch and she brought us an electric blanket and made sure that we were comfortable. Penny is a very sweet person. She also did a wonderful job of raising her children. I'm so happy that Mackenze has grown up in a great household and I attribute that to his Mother. Penny also home schooled her kids. I definitely admire parents who do that, because I don't think that I could take on such a task.
Katie- Katie is my brother Jay's wife. Katie is a wonderful women. I have always thought that Katie is very intelligent and smart about the choices she makes. Katie is also an awesome mother. I admire that she takes the time to enjoy watching Avery grow, and doesn't let the stress of mothering bother her.

Jess- Jess is my brother Brenn's wife. Jess is a very energetic and funny person. She keeps me laughing the entire time I am around her. Jess has a beautiful smile. I haven't had very much time to get to know Jess but I look forward to getting to know her better in the future.

Keesha- Keesha is Mackenze's sister. Keesha is very vibrant and full of energy. She also is pregnant about four weeks behind me and I'm so happy to be able to share this experience with her. She has a loving spirit, and is going to be a wonderful mother to her baby boy.
Chris- Chris is Mackenze's older brother. He just recently moved here to Spokane from the west side of the state with his two beautiful daughters and his caring wife. Although I don't know them very well yet, I look forward to the years we get to spend so close together.
I care a lot about my family, and I'm so grateful to share this life with them. I can't wait to have my own family!